500,000th visitor to Gundam event

500,000th visitor to Gundam event

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Takeshi Masuno (back R), an office worker from Aichi Prefecture, and members of his family pose with Shizuoka Mayor Zenkichi Kojima (L) as the 500,000th visitor to the Shizuoka Hobby Fair, a plastic model exhibition event featuring an 18-meter-tall ''life-size'' Gundam in Shizuoka City on Aug. 24, 2010.

Japan wins in men's 4x200 relay in Asian Games

Japan wins in men's 4x200 relay in Asian Games

DOHA, Qatar - The Japanese men's 4x200 relay team -- (from L to R) Takeshi Matsuda, Yuji Sakurai, Takamitsu Kojima and Daisuke Hosokawa -- smile Dec. 4 after winning the gold in the Asian Games in Doha.

(2)Hillman looking for commitment from Fighters team

(2)Hillman looking for commitment from Fighters team

TOKYO, Japan - Newly appointed Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman (2nd from L) poses for a photograph with President Junji Imamura (L), batting coach Gary Denbo (2nd from R) and acting club owner Takeshi Kojima (R) at a news conference at a Tokyo hotel Nov. 5.

Nippon Ham, Arizona establish business tie-up+

Nippon Ham, Arizona establish business tie-up+

TOKYO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters general manager Takeshi Kojima (L) and Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola shake hands in Tokyo on July 18 after signing a business tie-up agreement between their two baseball clubs.

Nippon Ham, Arizona establish business tie-up+

Nippon Ham, Arizona establish business tie-up+

TOKYO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters general manager Takeshi Kojima (L) and Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola shake hands in Tokyo on July 18 after signing a business tie-up agreement between their two baseball clubs.

500,000th visitor to Gundam event

500,000th visitor to Gundam event

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Takeshi Masuno (back R), an office worker from Aichi Prefecture, and members of his family pose with Shizuoka Mayor Zenkichi Kojima (L) as the 500,000th visitor to the Shizuoka Hobby Fair, a plastic model exhibition event featuring an 18-meter-tall ''life-size'' Gundam in Shizuoka City on Aug. 24, 2010. (Kyodo)

Japan wins in men's 4x200 relay in Asian Games

Japan wins in men's 4x200 relay in Asian Games

DOHA, Qatar - The Japanese men's 4x200 relay team -- (from L to R) Takeshi Matsuda, Yuji Sakurai, Takamitsu Kojima and Daisuke Hosokawa -- smile Dec. 4 after winning the gold in the Asian Games in Doha. (Kyodo)

(2)Hillman looking for commitment from Fighters team

(2)Hillman looking for commitment from Fighters team

TOKYO, Japan - Newly appointed Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman (2nd from L) poses for a photograph with President Junji Imamura (L), batting coach Gary Denbo (2nd from R) and acting club owner Takeshi Kojima (R) at a news conference at a Tokyo hotel Nov. 5. (Kyodo)